The Importance Of Having A Lawyer For Your Disability Claim

Clark Law Office • May 13, 2025

If you suffer from a disability that has rendered you unable to work anymore, you will likely need to file a claim with the Social Security Administration for disability benefits. This can be a very scary time in one’s life. How are you going to make the mortgage payments? How are you going to pay for other essentials such as food and utilities? The disability process can be long, at times seem unfair, and, at such a vulnerable time in your life, can be very stressful.

A great number of people who deserve disability benefits have their initial claim for Social Security disability benefits denied. While this is undoubtedly disheartening, it is not a reason to give up on your claim. After receiving a denial on your initial disability claim, it is important to initiate the first level of appeal, which is called the reconsideration stage. At the reconsideration stage, the vast majority of appeals are denied once again. And just like upon being denied at the initial level, you should try not to feel disheartened. After the reconsideration level, you must file a request for a hearing with an Administrative Law Judge. At this stage, you are afforded the right to present evidence and testimony at a hearing held by a Judge.

The whole process can be frustrating and does take a fair amount of time. Currently, it takes about a year from the date you file your initial disability claim to the date you have a hearing in front of a Judge. While not all disability claimants need to appeal their claims, many do. Some disability claims are approved at the initial claim level. Many are not.

No matter what stage in the disability claims process you are at, it is very important to consider hiring an attorney to represent you. A recent government study found that individuals who hired attorneys for their Social Security disability claims were three times more likely to have their case approved than those individuals who did not have a representative!

An experienced attorney understands the legal background of the disability claims process and knows what is most important to do in order to get your disability claim approved. Everyone’s case is different. An experienced attorney can work to understand the unique circumstances of your case and then understand what needs to be done in order to get your disability claim approved.

The process of applying for disability can be scary, frustrating, and confusing. Hiring an experienced attorney to guide you through the process greatly increases your chances of having a successful outcome. At a time in your life when nothing may seem certain, it is very important to do everything you can to ensure you have the greatest chance of having your disability claim approved.

KY Workers’ Comp Temporary Total Disability Benefits Explained

By Clark Law Office • July 3, 2023
If you have been hurt in a workplace accident and are temporarily unable to return to your job, you should receive temporary total disability benefits.  Kentucky statutory law defines temporary total disability as “the condition of an employee who has not reached maximum medical improvement from an injury and has not reached a level of [...] The post KY Workers’ Comp Temporary Total Disability Benefits Explained appeared first on .

Appealing a Denial of Benefits by the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority

By Clark Law Office • June 11, 2022
Members of the Kentucky Public Pensions plan who receive disability benefits from the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority (KPPA) can have their disability benefits discontinued. The KPPA contracts with a Managed Medical Review Organization (MMRO) for the administration of disability retirement claims. The MMRO sometimes contacts members to determine if they still meet the requirements for [...] The post Appealing a Denial of Benefits by the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority appeared first on .

First Steps if Injured at Work

By Clark Law Office • September 13, 2021
Suffering an injury at work can change your life dramatically. Filing a workers’ compensation claim is often necessary to recover the money you need to cover your basic living expenses. The attorneys at Clark, Cornett and Smith are committed to helping injured workers. Feel free to call us at (859) 219-1280 to discuss your claim. [...] The post First Steps if Injured at Work appeared first on .

Child Personal Injury Conservatorships

By Clark Law Office • April 16, 2021
We help children with personal injuries recover compensation for their injuries, and we also help protect the funds that they recover. We do this by creating a Conservatorship for the injured minor that is overseen by the Court. Specifically, we ask the Court to appoint someone, usually a parent, to serve as the Conservator for the injured child. The Conservator manages the funds recovered in the personal injury action until the child reaches the age of majority.

What You Need to Know About Scissor Lift Injuries

By Clark Law Office • May 18, 2018
Many manufacturing, construction, retail, and entertainment industries rely on scissor lifts to raise and move workers to different areas during a construction job or other project. When scissor lifts are stationary and extended, they pose hazards similar to scaffolding. Prompted by ten fatalities and over twenty injuries in the span of one year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation and found that the injuries and deaths most frequently occurred due to safety failures by the employer. Even with proper training, maintenance and use, some scissor lifts can collapse due to manufacturing defects. At Clark and Cornett, we have extensive experience investigating and litigating claims against manufacturers of deficient scissor lifts. Employers are responsible for providing workers with instructions on how to work safely on, with and near scissor lifts. Workers must be told how to handle supplies while on a scissor lift. They should also be trained in how to respond to hazards that they encounter around the worksite, such as electrical wires. Workers also should be taught how to report equipment defects and how to make maintenance requests. To avoid scissor lift injuries from falling, there must be guardrails installed on the machine. To ensure stabilization, guidelines for safe movement must be provided. Safety systems to prevent the lift from collapsing need to be maintained and not bypassed. Workers are entitled to worker conditions that do not pose the threat of serious harm. They have the right to receive training and information regarding workplace dangers, how to prevent them, and applicable OSHA standards. At Clark and Cornett, we focus our practice on workplace injuries, including workers’ compensation injuries from scissor lift accidents. We also have extensive litigation experience regarding scissor lift defects from improper design and improper manufacturing. Collectively, our attorneys have over 80 years of experience in fighting for the rights of our clients. We listen to the needs of each client and strive to achieve the resolution they desire. We are located in Lexington, KY and proudly serve Central and Eastern Kentucky. Due to our focused experience with scissor lift injuries, we also help law firms in other jurisdictions with these cases. Call us today at (859) 219-1280 to discuss your legal options.